1959-09-26 — Page 5

? DID IT HAPPEN (?

✪ Markson, the servant, frowned and passed his hard over his black forehead with an unfamlilar gesture. Then he said slowly: 'I tluk 1 sao Mestor sġain—boforo the moon's ond..."

----

IT

was my last night in Acera. As my aircraft was due to take off at the grisly hour of five a.m. I had taken a room in the Lisbon Hotel on the fringe of the airport. In the guest-house, my servant Markson had packed for me.

Over the months Markson of crickels and. the futing f and had became frm friends fruit bats, telling each other God I knew 1 wouki mlay glorien thai became more and fils sool-black face, his fash more improbable as the mam ing prin ani, above all, his rema to commit suicklda behind a Loyalty. He cime with me up combre barik of to the List, to say goodbye, cloud, He noisy dleapproved of the 100m I had been given threatened

hotel The

retribution

with

fearful

Ard

Beyond

the

boys spread splash of.

it sight from the

they should dare to steal from, the darknes

Sad

ફર્મ

atch

50

WHE

1 when

that

the Jast

143k

done.

thook

And

31 m

WAN

We

hands!

I gave

his

dash. He aç- cepted

tip almost abcent mindedly

and gazed at with his #110 liquorice coloured

war opaque. For no

reasen 0:51 I could

Think of, Stanley

lenned across the

# by summon

Jerrard Tickell

Enlisting as a private in. 1940, Jerard Tickell became a major three year later. He travalled on War Office mix. sion to many part of the world

As a writer of war books he won his reputation. Oderan and Appointmant With Vanus were among his success.

Tichall, married with thras cons, speaks French, German and Hungarian,

way

THE CHINA MAIL, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1959.

Page G

EDWARD ALLCARD tells of the dangers

that awalt a man who sails alono

He swabbed the plyce with some ice-cold fluid and look a hypodermic syringe...

MOON'S END

his

SU

Sur-

Night-lit

The storm

hear

121

It

The sea boiled towards me

REMEMBER seeing my first

waterspout, a good many years ago, from the safety of the Isle of Wight. I saw my second only recently, from the narrow deck of my 10-ton ketch Sea Wanderer in the West Indies. I hope my third will keep its distance. The one I have just seen was nearly my last.

I have met only one man who has been close to a waterspout and ved to tell the tale.

He is a West Indian fisherman called Sebastian, who still com plains about El hat. "Ah lost thuth f! nạt." he laments, "and, man, ali, nebber see it no more."

Until that waterspout along Sen Wanderer had been pottering abott ber routine business.

The return

Allcard checks geur aboard the Sea Wanderer,

1.

was a "window" and hung on to full sail.

Then I was struck by an appalling doubt. A quick look through the glasses conarmed my worst musplelons. The white mars was no window, but a vast pyramid of water.

The cloud was an evil black right down to the horizon. I Jumped to reduce sell. What was going to happen?

No time

I was not left long in doubt. The white triangle detached itself from the squall, and be came a force 500 feet high, joining the water to the black cloud above. The waterspout

to hed growi

its maximum

power.

The long charged straight at me, leaving smoking spray in its wake. I dashed to lower

It the muzzen and jib.

พคค The nearly on me. There was no bow time to lower tho remaining sail. I slammed the hatch, and grabbed a line to ile round my

Then came the waterspout.

up

Now, one CRA think several explanations why the

for aircraft was there; but as 1

the car in such a small island... but that's the West Indies. Even the Leeward Islands "are" to windward

There is a general rule about waist. tropical squalls. If one can see But

the las! momen!

a light through the approachingt eldher the boat's course or the murk, they are not so severe curving path of the monster

and

nol

He unpacked the few things I table and tourlugd my fore- dashboard of his ear. He was

from the north would want for the night, land gently with

humming Want to be Happy had increased in Intensity us Pyjamas, luuth-brush and so geon's Anger Ups. There I all the time. I sat in the front swung down from the hills. As

He was

hud humble blms. I thought we were tlay with my eyes shut, I could about the size going to the Kit-Kat or Larty's hear the thunder muttering and of of an inflated or or somewhere.

grumbling over the routs

In faut she was earning dol- half-crown, u

But we drove in the direction Accra. Hard an its heels came lars by charter work. I had hairless

it of the Ridge Hospital. A thon- the rala in a warm, drenching just finished a cruise with af derstorm was mounting by the nwnpour. It drummed on the American unrightly

through the couple fair

West Indies. Statin. called u

uperating Dutch north with Hghtning flickering glass dome of the pom. It had and saidding beress horizon. theatre so loudly that I could Saba, and St Martins where been there for We entered the gates of the Burdly

Stunicy's soft- | had seen them off. Hidge Hospital and he parked spoken orders to the Sister. years and

of it all was the radial engine, before the canvas ripped. used his car. It was at this moment After a long time, I don't know

I bought fresh stores and pre- a nine-cylinder Pratt and second passed neross the lot that 1 that I had the first. coul fore- how long, Stanley stood upright.

pured for the return voyage to Waltney. Then I spotted and a third astern. had forgotten buding that Stanley meant it.

"Finished," he said, Until now I had regarded dar look beautiful. Il existence

"You Antigua, where 1 huve my base car, in almost as good a shape. Now I'm going) at Nelson's old dockyard. Tut, tat," drive to the Ridge as the logical to stileh you. When I stitch my A the trip is 100 miles said Stauley, extension of an elaborate joke. Landiwork. it's like signing a ngoinst the frima wind and "1 should have

picture. Piensso

I have north equatorial current, much in cominon."

aimed to nuchor nights when possible to break up the work Twenty minutes later, the

Come fariness of tackling which whatpi

We walked along endles Bahis of the theatre faced, would at least

double the dis- "Removed corridors with half-open dones Stanley and I walked back along inner to be sailed. that

those same lipoma, leading into night-lit wards.

corridors of the

A full morning's beat 10 disposed

I walked Ridge Hospital. My lipoma had windward brought us closing in of say "we walked." that

and vanished utterly. Covering object," Stanley's feet Signed now

on a small island, barely a mil He glanced at again to the measure of the event habitat was a large white

square and belleved to be un- his watch, High-Life, Suddenly we were in dressing. I was incredulous that

inhabited. "Im. Quarter the operating theatre. I saw an

this thing bad happened

I raked the land through my to 12..."

Africin Sister walling

that it was over. binoculars, by the light-heartxt

IL was He gol up table and an African nurse, In Now it was I whose feet were shaped, rocky and high to the from the table contrast with their solemn ebony dancing. and meandered into the hotel. If faces, their uniforms

north-east, low and wooded to this In the ply hall of

the south-west. I could see no Then he came back and divided a feeling as if a damp was away for about live minutes, white as to hurt my eyes. I had hospital, an Ablcan set squat- sign of life.

splder ting on his heels in timeless the last of the brandy between with hairy legs. were scuttling patience. Ife rose to his bare "No." I sakl.. "You won't.

UK. When our glasses were up and down my spine. The feet as Stanley and I approached Not unless I come to Acerny, he stood up, leaning on brandy died in ins

and I saw his dark face split into ugalo The adreraft

the back of his chair.

"you a flushing grin. "Well," he said, "off we go." "Where to?"

eyes,

01

beaming TOW

but frown-

Ing.

He passed

1:is hand over black

9

forehead with at wild, un- fanar Hesture, probing with

Eng

』 5 ingers. on the luft elde, stroking the #kin. Then he said slowly:

tink I see Master again before the moon's end."

at five."

He Thook his

inkes olt

woolly head

done it Long apo,"

"Don

"The Ridge Hospital. I've Just

obstinately. "I tink I see Master told them on the telephone

again,'

Then he went away. With genuine sorrow, I saw him xu in the brief twilight, his bare feet sheming in the dust,

I had arranged to dine that night with my friend, Stanley c. witty and thirsty surgeon. He turned up at about seven, after Markson had one and we began to celebrate my imminut departure in the tradifit)

manner of the Coast. That is to

get the theatre ready,"

"Ha, ha, ha," I said,

Difficulty

to

"Must rend you back to England looking beautiful." He began to croon to the nuclily of 1 Want to be Happy-

"You'er got a li-pana,

I want pour il-poza

hite pour B-pong to me..." say that it was after 18 o'clock "O CARESE," I said, "I can't

before we matte

hilarious

were

"Welt," said Stanley.

hop cn the table while I scrub-up."

It was, of course, Markson. sald incredulously:

old

I

I was too frightened to say "Markson, you

villain, "no" I climbed on to the taste what the blazes are you doing and lay flat. I heard the Rush here?" of water in the ante-room, the chuckling of soap and Stanley's voice singing. The theatre Sister looked down at me. Her Tace was wise and kind. She said in a soft, throaty voice-

Familiar

He touched the left side of his forehead as he had done several hous ago when we had paid

''

I WHS A

familiar

MU

"ilave no fear. He is always a good surgeon. After diamer" Roodbye. -she smiled "he is brilliant. zesture. You will come to no harm."

el Master Ink again before the moon's Stanley came back, drying his him hand

He gazed at my fore- end. Now I am happy emp." umbrella.

wanded, have a head opera- seemed satisfied.

in and ground- tion at midnight,

paragol to timer.

Avdendo pears

one neexi

canvas,

Thus, when

I

the line, of commotion

reduce took

us out of fire. The seething SAW black whirled across the stern as the snake-like coturni bent in the to windward form of a letter S. anxlously เส pitched heavily in the

Sea Wanderer rolled heavily clouds directly all night. The swell was making denoting another squall, I It had been A near up, a forerunner of bad weather. watched And the hurricane season had already started.

sea

же

rising!

shave. there Bist a few minutes Inter was nothing to be seen.

And I went peacefully on to

-Landon Express Service).

But seeing an Inverted Antigua. Cff soon after dawn, I found

near the centre, I imagined it wedge moderate wind blowing over big sea. Sen Wanderer, lift- ing easily to the swell, made good progress all day till the burning sun sank behind the jagged heights of Sintla and we ran under the lee of St Kitts.

There was no harbour, but a sandy beach on the lee side promised a temporary. If zolly, anchorage for the night.

Navigating carefully to avold a dangerous rock which mush- rooms from the depths to a few feet of the surface, 1 sailed under the tee of the island rounded up Into the wind and payed out anchor chain in 20 fect of pale green water. The bottom was clearly vistole, sund and Krass, The calls came down with a run,

Then I rowed to the shore. When I was halfway across and looking for a likely spot to land In

surf, two black dos barking furiously, ran out of Were they the bushes. Help! going to repel the one-man in vasion?

head, his lips pursed. He check- We looked at each other. He wait. It's a thing I've always ed a number of instruments and held out a stumtest

He swabbed Outside the rain fell in torrents,

But kes the place with some ice-call I could hear it hissing and Africa, to the sound of drums," said and took a hypodermie splashing. He waved his black,

"Splendid," said

Stanley, syringe. Then he leaned over me pink-palmed hand towards the "Then let's get cracking."

rar slew and lashings of claret; coffee and a bottle of brandy lo follow.

We sat on the stoup of the hotel, istening to the whirring ing the ignition key-hole in the

He had some difrutty in find-

A British Crossword

Puzzle

14

20

21

22

with a winkt.

"Shut your

yell if I hurt you. You won't eyes and relax,

yell and I won't hurt you."

CHESS

by LEONARD BARDEN

12)

A

*

(No.5690)

flere is a problem by A. H. Coulty (Observer, 1954). White to play and mate in two mover. Solution No. 5689 ; # Re-R7! (but not i Kt-Q6. B-B21; 2 KI-KI7, K-K2), K-K2 telse Kt-06 2 KL-BS ch tolas.

London Espegia Service

(0)

il

3 Ant (5)

L

G R

$ Kandeulf? (0)

B Renove pencil, perhaps (5)

A

E

S L N

ACROSS

1: The desk of omcinidom

7 Some troops in contrul,

seems (4)

9 Territory In Montreal, maybe

(B)

10 Réfroin from killing the lean

(4)

1 Hard honey (4)

DOWN

2 Mainly American custom (3)

4 Throw out of the soddie (0)

Apple dishes? (4)

Women's quarters (5)

Conjecture (5)

13 Large Scandinavians, canine 1 Title, possibly Austrian (8)

(5,5)

15 Stage Jeng (4)

16 He's partly American (4)

19 Joint trouble? (10)

22 Not barefooted (4)

Mipnorter, as it were

27 Fints nome hardes (8)

Y Preases in goir? (5)

E Prince, Anally saucy (6)

20 Ring for scrapping (5)

21 Pul out (5)

23 Hurried to concealment, by:

the sound of it (4).

TARGET

HOW

wurds of four letters DF THOrg - you make from the Letters in

the square an the jell↑

tack word.

* Letters

in excli of the small spinners may be meră once only. Each word must contain the tarne letter in the centro square, and there must ba at it one nine-letter woni In The No pinrale; no foreign Ward No proper names, TODAY'N TAKUET ( 80 words, Foods 15 words stucion 2004 90

words excellent

Avens YESTERDAY'S CROSSWORD—Across: 1 Drafts, 4 Swill,

7 Mode-RN.. 8 Phigs, 10 Surf, 12 Brudite. 15 Salve, 10 Ones,

17 lvar, 19 Anona, 20 Content, 21. Echo, 23 Admit, 24. Levies,

25 Forge, 20 C.-Anne S. Down: 1 Domestic, 2 Anderson, 3 Tori (rov), B Well done, □ Legate, @ Trent 11 Far-thing, -12° Evans, is fraction, 14 Espouses, 18 Voodoo, 22 Vera.......

on Monday.

YESTERDAY'S SOLUTION: aver averse carve art GATEEN Cara eraven care evanzko Bren Dreher over amen nerve Dever FAYE FAVEN renys reéVO ARTE SAVRE ACCES VASO VRTED kade your veneer ROVED Ver BEVERANCE

London Express Service.

24 Harden (5)

25 Art

(B)

20 School. furniture (4)

streaming dark.

"I bring umbrella for Master." DID IT REALLY HAPPEN?

YES

NO

Put a tick against your choice in the space above. Answer is On P. 14.

ROSÉ

NO

Space 'guinea pigs'

By moonlight thrive on the bottle

Kear

Without the steadying infu-

of the wind, the cluttered and banged so much that I started the diesel and pushed on through the growing night, steering on the famous Southern Cross as we rounded the west end of the island.

At 17 degrees north of the equator one can see both the

Southern Cross and the Pole

Star al the same time,

My next stop was Nevis, birthplace of Lady Nelson, and only 40 miles from Antigua.

I stayed one day, and left by moonlight.

NO SOLIDS FOR FIVE DAYS.

Washington.

OR five days 15 volunteers have been going about their work and taking all their food in liquid form the way American spacemen may have to live on their long journey to the stars.

down

the

the men

Air Force scientists have long Allemating daily, held the theory that under con- were served iwo menus, each Having cleared the land, ditions of "weightlessness" the providing about 2,000 calories best way to eat would be 10 and one-quarter pound of pro- A plane

trimmed the sheets for close squirt liquids fortified with pro- teln.

buffeted more hauled salling and they wure

lets and vitamins

Menu A consisted of apricot than n

welcoming committee through the alt, letting the throats of the astronauts.

for breakfast, tomato and plunged Into the breakers buat steer herself as I took cal-

In the tests

at Wright Juice

mkd-morning snack, naps below.

the juice for me. A to greet

Pattern base in Ohio, century or so

and chocolate After five hours I threw the volunteers drank

their meals chicken drink ago I understand that dusky

nectar maidens

ketch over swam out to greel

on the other tuck three times a day for five days mok for lunch, apricot

mid-afternoon snack, beet in an increasing wind and sea.after solemnly pledging to do for visiting ships. Now it's dogs.

drink, lemon drink; and coffee Sen Wanderer plunged gamely no "outskle eating' wogging ex-

on, heuled over on her side and

for dinners, and chocolate milk covered with spray.

for mid-evening snack.

The dogs, tails

eltedly, bounded along with me

$

I walked inland.

As the stars paled at dawn, masses of ragged clouds were forming to windward. A rough

Coming out into a clearing, t found, of all things, a crashed aircraft, 11s final landing had not been a success. Paris of It lay sealtered over several hundred yards, and at the end feverishly

Six gained

Menu B offered tinned orange Jules for breakfast but was later

Six of the men gained weight on their liquid dict; nine changed to apricot nectar "by lest. The greatest weight gain The first rain squall had me was 51% pounds; the greatest

clawing down sall loss, 2.7 pounds.

time was ahead,

popular demand."

-(Londan Express Service).

The Wine of Royal Entertainment

BRUT IMPERIAL

1953

MOET MOËT & CHANDÓN,

ОНАИРАДИЕ ÉPERNAY-FRANCE,

MOËT

Dom Fasigmun

Vains 1927

CHANDON CHAMPAGNES

On the high occasions of Royal and Diplomatic Receptions

in 1957-58, when only the supreme choice of Wines was considered worthy, the Champagnes of

MOËT ET CHANDON

Dom Perignon

€

BRUT IMPÉRIAL

had the distinction of being the favoured wines. At many banquets and particularly to honour the visit of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and H.RIL. Prince Philip to Paris in 1957 and exclusively during their Croisière Nocturne on the Seine and on their journey to and from France, Moët et Chandon. 1947, 1953 and Moët Rose and Brut Impérial Champague were the wines deemed to be worthy of the bonour of being served to Royalty by the Pre- sident of the French Repablic and the citizens of France whose claim to judge the merits of the products of their own

vineyards must be supreme.

Sale Agente GANDE PRICE & COULTD. TIL, 20136, 36361 & 32246

A

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